Infusion set improvements

ABSTRACT

A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing. The method of adjusting the length of the tubing to a desired length typically comprises removably attaching the tubing to the adjuster, adjusting the tubing by wrapping the tubing around a hub or post of the adjuster, and fixing the length of the unstored tubing by attaching the tubing to a securing device such as a friction structure or fastener.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/613,556, entitled “Infusion Set Improvements,”filed Sep. 27, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and objects directed toimproving the use of infusion sets to deliver fluids to a patient, forexample the delivery of insulin to a patient suffering from diabetes.More particularly, the invention relates to methods and objects ofadjusting the length of tubing used in an infusion set.

BACKGROUND ART

Infusion sets are typically used to transfer fluids from a source to apatient. An infusion set typically includes a cannula assembly that maybe made up of a cannula which is inserted into a patient with the use ofa needle, and a cannula body which is used to hold the upstream end ofthe cannula. The needle is typically removed before fluid may betransferred through the cannula. The cannula body may be used to securethe cannula to a patient's body in a specific position. The cannula isattached to a tube, usually a flexible tube, which conducts fluid from asource to be transferred to the body.

Infusion sets may present a number of user-oriented, operationalproblems due to the competing interests of providing a device capable ofbeing used by many, while being tailored to an individual's needs.

In one aspect of infusion sets, the length of a tube used in an infusionset must be able to reach a distance between the insertion site of thecannula and the source of the infused fluid. The tubes are typicallyflexible, allowing for convenience in handling by users. In the instancewhen a source is a portable source that may be worn by a patient, thelength of tube necessary depends upon the relative positions of thesource and the insertion site, which may be a function of the size ofthe patient. As well, patients may wish to alter the position where theywear the source and/or the insertion site depending upon individualcircumstances. Tube suppliers manufacture various lengths of tubes.However, requiring patients to purchase various lengths of tubingdepending upon their needs, and requiring suppliers to stock everylength of tubing desired may be impractical. Patients who use tubes thatare too long may insure that an adequate length is available, but riskentangling the excess tube in stray objects or potentially dislodgingthe cannula assembly or fluid source if the excess tubing snags.

In general, a need exists to improve the design of infusion sets toaddress this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention utilizing a tube length adjuster may bedirected toward adjusting an unstored length of a tube used to carryfluids from a source to a patient. The adjuster may be capable ofstoring a portion of tubing within its structure, and leaving anunstored length of exposed tubing. Thus, the effective length of tubingconnecting a source and an insertion point, using some embodiments ofthe invention, is approximately the length of unstored tubing plus somelength defined by the physical dimension of the adjuster. The adjustermay allow a user to adjust the length of unstored tubing depending uponthe needs of the user.

A tube length adjuster, according to embodiments of the invention,includes a storage module for storing a portion of excess tubing length,relative to the desired effective tube length. Such an adjuster may beutilized in a method of adjusting an unstored length of tubing used totransfer fluid to a living body according to another embodiment of theinvention. The method includes the steps of providing an adjuster;providing a tube for transferring at least some fluid; removablyattaching the tube to the adjuster; and storing a portion of the tube onthe storage module to adjust the unstored length of tube. Alternatively,the method may include the step of fixing the unstored length of thetube.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention an adjuster is providedfor adjusting the unstored length of tubing used to transfer at leastsome fluids from a source to a user. Preferably, the user wraps theunstored tubing around the storage module until the user achieves thedesired length. Additionally, the adjuster may include features tomaintain the length of stored tubing around the adjuster and/or enablethe secure attachment or placement of the adjuster.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a usermay attach the tubing to the adjuster and rotates, winds, spins orstores the tubing inside the storage module. The user may then fix thelength of the unstored tubing by securing the tubing and/or closing thestorage module. Furthermore, the storage module may have frictionstructures incorporated into the housing to secure the tubing. Tounsecure the tubing the user disengages the tubing from the frictionstructure.

In accordance with yet other embodiments of the invention, the tubingmay be retractably guided into the storage module. Similarly, the usermay fix the length of the unstored tubing by securing the tubing,engaging a friction structure, or closing the storage module. When adifferent length of tubing is required, a tug on the tubing can retractthe tubing from the storage module.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed toward improvements inthe use of infusion sets for injecting fluids into patients. Suchinfusion sets are typically designed for injecting fluids into humanbeings, but can also be utilized in conjunction with other mammals,animals, and other living beings. The embodiments of the inventiondirected to adjusting the unstored length of a tube are not restrictedto tubing of a particular length or diameter. In addition, theembodiments of the invention are not necessarily restricted to uses ofadjusting the length of tubing used to transfer fluids to patients. Someembodiments of the invention may be utilized in other applications inwhich adjusting the length of flexible tubing is advantageous.

As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, a variety ofdifferent arrangements of different structures, including arrangementsnot mentioned herein, may be utilized to create adjusters capable ofbeing used with the method described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understoodby reference to the following detailed description, taken with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A schematically shows a tube length adjuster, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B schematically shows a tube length adjuster having a fastener, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1C schematically shows the tube length adjuster of FIG. 1B with thefastener wrapped around the tubing;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate a sequence of attaching tubing to a tube lengthadjuster, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B schematically show a tube length adjuster having a case thatopens, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4B schematically show an exploded side of a tube lengthadjuster, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B schematically shows a top view of the tube length adjuster shownin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A schematically shows a top view of a tube length adjuster havinga rotatable wheel, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B schematically shows a top view of the tube length adjuster shownin FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C schematically shows an isometric view of the tube lengthadjuster shown in FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate a sequence of attaching tubing to a tube lengthadjuster for storage, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A-7D show an exploded view and the mechanism of a tube lengthadjuster having a variable internal path for holding tubing, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically show a tube length adjuster with variableinternal length, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 9A-9C schematically show a tube length adjuster having tracks ofsliders configured to move in a circular path, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A-10C schematically show a tube length adjuster with a variableinternal path, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 11A-11C schematically show a tube length adjuster having arotatable shaft and handle, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A-1C show various embodiments of a tube length adjuster, all ofwhich are in accord with embodiments of the invention. The adjuster 500includes a storage module 510 for storing excess tube length by wrappingthe tube 530 around the module 510, and a fastening device such asfriction structures 521, 522 for maintaining the length of stored tubingaround the adjuster 500. Using the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, thetubing 530 is removably attached to the adjuster using one of thefriction structures 521, 522, and the length of unstored tubing is fixedby attaching the tube 530 to the unused friction structure after aportion of tubing 530 is wrapped around the module 510. In anotherembodiment of the invention, a fastening device such as a fastener 521Amay be attached to the module 510 as shown in FIG. 1B. The fastener 521Amay be wrapped around the tubing stored around the module 510, to fixthe length of the unstored tubing as shown in FIG. 1C. The fastener 521Amay be molded as part of the module 510 to form a unitary unit orseparately attached to the module after manufacturing the module. Whenthe adjuster with the fastener is molded as a unitary structure,preferably, the fastener is overmolded after the module is molded.Although two examples of fastening devices are shown, a person of skillin the art will recognize that other fastening devices may be used. Suchfasteners, although not shown, are within the scope of the invention.

Other types of tube length adjusters may be used in conjunction with themethod. Some examples of such adjusters are shown in FIGS. 2-4, all ofwhich are in accord with embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 2A-2Ddepict an adjuster 600 with a storage module including an inner hubsandwiched between two halves 611, 612. One half has a pair of notches620 for removably attaching tubing 630. Thus a method of adjusting thelength of tubing includes the steps of: removably attaching the tubing630 in one of the notches 620 (as shown in FIG. 2A); storing the tubing630 by wrapping the tubing 630 around the hub and between the halves611, 612 to adjust the unstored tubing to a desired length (as shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C); and fixing the length of the unstored tubing byattaching the tubing 630 in the remaining open notch 620 (as shown inFIG. 2D).

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict another adjuster in accord with the invention. Asshown in FIG. 3A, the adjuster includes at least a pair of hubs 713which are exposed when the adjuster is opened by lifting open a firsthalf 711 of a case of the adjuster from the second half 712. The halves711, 712 may optionally be attached by a hinge-like structure as shownin FIG. 3A. The hinge-like structure may be any shape. Tubing 730 may bestored by the adjuster by wrapping the tubing 730 about at least a hub713 to adjust the unstored length. Preferably, the adjuster has a pairof hubs 713 for adjusting the length of the unstored tubing. The firsthalf 711 may be attached to the second half 712 after the wrapping iscomplete to fix the length of the unstored tubing, as shown in FIG. 3B.As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a pair of openings 729 may be included inthe adjuster.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict another embodiment of the present invention thatmay be used to adjust the length of unstored tubing. FIG. 4A shows anexploded view of an adjuster 800, which includes the elements of abottom half, 815 with a circular hub 816 and a friction notch 821 tothread one end of the tube; a top half 810 with a notch-opening 822 forthreading the tube out of the adjuster 800, and a cap 840 for lockingthe positions of the two halves 810, 815 in place. With the two halves810, 815 separated, the tube may be attached to the bottom notch 821 toremovably attach the tube to the adjuster 800. Next, a portion of thetube may be stored by wrapping the tube around the hub 816 to adjust thelength of unstored tubing. The top half 810 may then be placed over thebottom half 815, with the loose end of tube threaded through thenotch-opening 822. Finally, the cap 840 may be used to lock the halvesin place, as shown in FIG. 4B, thus fixing the length of the unstoredtubing. An alternative way of adjusting the unstored length of tubing isby rotating the first half 810 while keeping the second half 815relatively stationary. As described above, the user can thread thetubing through the notch-opening 822 and place the cap 840 to secure itin place, when the desired length is reached.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two other embodiments of adjusters, which may be usedto practice the method of adjusting an unstored length of tubing. FIG.5C depicts a rotatable wheel 910 attached to a body 940, the rotatablewheel 910 acting as the storage module and having a hub 911. As shown inFIG. 5A, the rotatable wheel 910 includes a notch 920 that may act as aentry point for tubing 930 into the adjuster; the notch 920 may alsoserve to removably attach the tubing 930. The wheel 910 may be rotatedto store tubing 930 by wrapping the tubing 930 around the hub 911, andadjusting a length of unwrapped tubing, as shown in FIG. 5B. Rotation ofthe wheel 910 may be achieved by a handle coupled to the wheel 910through the body 940 to allow easy rotation by hand. Alternatively, thewheel 910 may be rotated by a spring, preferably a torsional spring,with the spring coupled to the wheel 910 such that the wheel 910 tendsto rotate and wrap tubing 930 around the hub 911. When the springconstant of the spring is of sufficient magnitude, the tension in thetubing 930 induced by the spring may be used to fix the length ofunstored tubing. The use of a torsional spring may advantageously allowthe release of the stored tubing, if an excessive force is applied tothe unstored tubing. The release of the stored tubing may relieve theforce applied to the unstored tubing. Generally, storing the tubing mayalso provide additional safety by preventing a cannula assembly frombeing inadvertently removed from a patient by snagged tubing.Alternatively, a lock mechanism, such as a frictional structure, asdescribed earlier, may be used to fix the length of the unstored tubingin a more secure manner.

FIGS. 6A-6F depict another adjuster with a rotatable member 1010. Thestorage module, shown in FIGS. 6A-6F is coupled to the rotatable member1010 and includes a raised hub structure 1020 for removably attaching atube 1030 by threading the tube 1030 within the hub structure 1020 asshown in FIG. 6A. The hub structure may include a plurality of posts.Preferably, the hub structure has at least two posts. Rotation of themember 1010 results in two ends of the tubing 1030 simultaneously beingwrapped around the hub structure 1020, as depicted in FIGS. 6B and 6C.The storage module is enclosed in a case made of two halves 1010, 1011,one half 1010 being the rotatable member coupled to the storage moduleand the other half with the raised hub structures. The halves 1010, 1011may be separated while the tubing 1030 is removably attached to the hubstructure 1020, and coupled when tube storage occurs, as shown in FIGS.6D and 6F. Rotation of the rotatable members 1010 or 1011 stores aportion of the tubing by wrapping the tubing around the storage module.Rotation of the member 1010 or 1011 may be performed manually, such asby hand or automatically, by using a spring such as a torsional spring,as described in the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In anembodiment with manual rotation, a handle may be coupled to or molded aspart of the rotatable member 1010 or 1011. The halves 1010, 1011 mayhave at least an opening 1040 for tubing 1030 to enter and exit thecasing. Preferably, the halves have a pair of openings as shown in FIG.6B.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7-10, a tubelength adjuster is presented with a variable internal path for holdingtubing. An exploded view of one example of such an adjuster is shown inFIGS. 7A-7D. The adjuster shown in FIG. 7A includes a case and a storagemodule. The case has two halves 1110, 1115, one half having an opening1116 for allowing tubing to enter and exit the case. The storage moduleincludes a slider 1120 for moving within two tracks 1122. The sliderincludes two rollers 1121 for aiding movement of the slider 1120 andtubing within the case.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the tubing 1130 is inserted into the case throughthe opening 1116, and secured within the case by the slider 1120 and aguide 1117 coupled to the case bottom 1115. The position of the slider1120 and guide 1117 define a path for tubing within the case. As shownin FIG. 7C, as the slider 1120 is moved along the tracks 1122 in thedirection 1150, the tubing path length within the case changes, allowingfor more tubing 1130 to be stored in the case. The rollers 1121 allowtubing 1130 to move in and out of the case, depending upon the positionof the slider 1120, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. Now referring to FIGS.7A and 7D, the top cover 1110 has a slot 1111 for allowing user accessto the slider 1120 to move the slider 1120 within the tracks 1122 asshown in FIG. 7D. A locking mechanism may be included to fix the lengthof tubing taken up within the case.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show another example of tube length adjuster withvariable internal length. In FIG. 8A, an internal view of the adjusterwhere a plurality of sliders 1220, each slider 1220 having a track 1221in the casing, is depicted along with a set of stationary guides 1215.Although, the housing of the adjuster is depicted as flat, a person ofskill in the art would recognize that the housing may be any shape orform to make it compact and portable. As shown in FIG. 8A, tubing 1230may be loaded into the casing, squeezed between the guides 1215 andsliders 1220. The guides 1215 may include a roller annularly positionedaround the guide 1215 to enhance tubing motion around the post 1215.Likewise, the sliders 1220 may also include an annular roller. Thetubing 1230 may be removably attached to the case 1250. Now referring toFIG. 8B, the sliders 1220 may be moved within the their respectivetracks 1221, to alter the internal path and thus length of tubingpresent within the casing. The sliders 1220 may be moved independentlyof each other (as shown in FIG. 8B), or be coupled in some manner tomove simultaneously. A lock for at least one of the sliders 1220 mayalso be utilized to fix the length of tubing within the case.

FIGS. 9A-9C depict an adjuster in accord with an embodiment of theinvention. The adjuster in FIGS. 9A-9C is operational similar to theadjuster in FIGS. 8A and 8B, except that the tracks 1323 of the sliders1320 in FIGS. 9A-9C are configured to move in a circular path, in anydirection, as opposed to the straight line path of FIGS. 8A and 8B. Asdepicted in FIG. 9A, tubing 1330 may be mounted between the sliders 1320and guides 1315 through an opening 1350 in the adjuster. The opening1350 may also act as a friction structure to allow removable attachmentof the tubing 1330 at that location. FIG. 9B depicts the configurationof the tubing 1330 after slider 1321 has been moved clockwise throughits track. FIG. 9C depicts the configuration of the tubing 1330 aftersliders 1321 and 1322 have been moved clockwise through their tracks.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict components of another adjuster with a variableinternal path for tubing in accord with an embodiment of the invention.A set of sliders 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424 are arranged in series to travelin a train along a track 1427 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The sliders1421, 1422, 1423, 1424 may be coupled together such that the movement ofone slider induces movement in the other sliders. As shown in FIG. 10A,the sliders are flexibly coupled with a flexible tether 1426. A personskilled in the art will recognize other mechanisms for achieving thecoupling. Still referring to FIG. 10A, each slider 1421, 1422, 1423,1424 may utilize a roller 1425 to aid movement of the tubing along itssurface. Now referring to FIG. 10B, tubing 1430 may be inserted aroundone slider 1422 adjacent to an end of the slider train 1421. As shown inFIG. 10C, the slider at the head of the train 1421 may be moved along atrack 1427 in direction 1450 to increase the length of tubing storedwithin the adjuster. One possible track configuration is a spiral asshown in FIG. 10C. Alternatively, any track configuration may be used tostore the tubing. Preferably, the track is configured to provide acompact and efficient storage in the available compartment. As shown inFIG. 10C, the sliders 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424 may be moved by moving thehead slider 1421, by use of a turnable handle coupled to the slidertrain, or the use of an elastic member that is biased in a particulardirection to attain its equilibrium position. The track 1427 and sliders1421, 1422, 1423, 1424 may be configured such that tubing 1430 has atendency to adhere to one side wall 1431 of the adjuster, thus fixingthe tube 1430. The tube 1430 may be released from the adjuster by eitherpulling on the free end of the tubing or moving the opposite end of theslider train 1424 in the opposite direction of 1450, to free tubing.

As documented by the examples shown in FIGS. 7-10, one skilled in theart will readily recognize that embodiments of the invention may utilizeany number of sliders, designed to travel in any number of tracks in anygiven orientation in order to create path lengths within a case toadjust the unexposed length of tubing. The guides used in suchembodiments of the invention may have a variety of shapes and sizes, andone or more may be utilized with various embodiments. Movement of thesliders may be by user manipulation of individual, or a set of coupled,sliders, use of a mechanical crank coupled to one or more sliders, orthe use of an elastic member with a tendency to bias movement of thesliders in a direction to lengthen the variable internal path. In thelatter case, the unstored length of tubing is fixed when the tension inthe tubing is balanced by the force induced by the elastic member.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown by the tube lengthadjuster in FIGS. 11A-11C. As shown in FIG. 11A, the adjuster includes arotatable shaft 1520 and a handle 1510. The rotatable shaft 1520includes a tube guide 1525, as shown in FIG. 11C, which is capable ofwinding tubing 1530 around the shaft 1520 while it rotates. The handle1510 includes an opening 1515 for allowing tube 1530 to be threaded outof the handle 1510, a structure for removably attaching the tube (suchas a friction structure), and a hollow region with a spiral notch. Thespiral notch has an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft 1520 and isin contact with the rotatable shaft 1520. By moving the handle 1510 in adirection 1550 parallel to the direction of the axis of the shaft 1520,the shaft 1520 rotates and tubing 1530 is wound around the shaft andstored. A lock is optionally utilized to lock the handle position andfix the length of tubing not wound around the shaft. In an alternateembodiment, the spiral notch may be ratcheted to allow controlledwind-up of tubing 1530 without a lock mechanism.

Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention, and examplesthereof, have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognizethat various changes and modifications can be made which will achievesome of the advantages of the invention without departing from the truescope of the invention. Furthermore, attachment features such as strapsincluding fasteners, velcro, buttons, snaps, clips and other attachmentmeans may be included with the present invention to facilitate theattachment or placement of the present invention on the user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of adjusting an unstored length of tubeto transfer a fluid into a living body, the method comprising the stepsof: providing a tube capable of connecting a fluid source to the livingbody; providing a user-wearable tube length adjuster, the adjusterincluding a storage module having an inner hub sandwiched by a firstexterior disc and a second exterior disc, the first exterior disc andthe second exterior disc having opposed exterior surfaces formed onsides of the first and second exterior discs opposite the hub, theexterior surfaces extending over substantially the entire side of thefirst exterior disc and the entire side of the second exterior discopposite the hub, at least one exterior surface having at least a firsttrough-shaped notch and a second trough-shaped notch formed therein, thefirst trough-shaped notch and the second trough-shaped notch formed nextto one another in the exterior surface and traversing the entireexterior surface by extending from a first point on a circumference ofthe respective exterior disc to a second point on the circumference ofthe respective exterior disc, the first trough-shaped notch configuredto contain at least a first portion of a length of tube and the secondtrough-shaped notch configured to contain at least a second portion ofthe length of tube, the storage module configured wherein the tube maybe wrapped about the hub between the first exterior disc and the secondexterior disc; removably attaching the tube to the adjuster by wrappingthe tube about the hub and by accommodating the first portion of thelength of tube within the first trough-shaped notch and the secondportion of the length of tube within the second trough-shaped notch; andstoring a portion of the tube on the storage module to adjust theunstored length of tube.
 2. A method according to claim 1 furthercomprising the step of fixing the unwrapped length of the tube onto afastening device for maintaining the length of the tube about thestorage module.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluidsource includes insulin.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein thestorage module includes at least one fastening device, and storing theportion of the tube includes fastening the tube on the at least onefastening device.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein removablyattaching the tube to the adjuster includes removably attaching the tubeto the storage module.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein storinga portion of the tube includes rotating the tube about the storagemodule.
 7. A tube length adjuster comprising: a storage module having aninner hub sandwiched by a first exterior disc and a second exteriordisc, the first exterior disc and the second exterior disc havingopposed exterior surfaces formed on sides of the first and secondexterior discs opposite the hub, the exterior surfaces extending oversubstantially the entire side of the first exterior disc and the entireside of the second exterior disc opposite the hub, at least one exteriorsurface having at least a first trough-shaped notch and a secondtrough-shaped notch formed therein, the first trough-shaped notch andthe second trough-shaped notch formed next to one another in theexterior surface and traversing the entire exterior surface by extendingfrom a first point on a circumference of the respective exterior disc toa second point on the circumference of the respective exterior disc, thefirst trough-shaped notch configured to contain at least a first portionof a length of tube configured to carry fluids and the secondtrough-shaped notch configured to contain at least a second portion ofthe length of tube, the storage module configured to allow at least aportion of the length of tube to be wrapped about the hub between thefirst exterior disc and the second exterior disc and at least a firstportion of the length of tube to be contained within the firsttrough-shaped notch and at least a second portion of the length of tubeto be contained within the second trough-shaped notch; and at least onefastening device for maintaining the first portion of the length of tubecontained in the first trough-shaped notch and the second portion of thelength of tube contained in the second trough-shaped notch; whereinwrapping the tube about the hub shortens the tube and unwrapping thetube from the hub lengthens the tube.
 8. A tube length adjusteraccording to claim 7, wherein the storage module includes a plurality offastening devices, each fastening device capable of maintaining thelength of tube.
 9. A tube length adjuster according to claim 8, whereinthe fastening devices are frictional surfaces.
 10. A tube lengthadjuster according to claim 7, wherein the at least one fastening deviceis a fastener wherein the fastener wraps around the length of tubecontained in the at least one notch whereby the fastener maintains thelength of tube wrapped about the storage module surface.
 11. A tubelength adjuster according to claim 7 wherein the at least one fasteningdevice further comprising a friction structure.